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New York Knicks vs Portland Trail Blazers Game Thread 2/1

The New York Knicks(14-31) vs The Portland Trail Blazers(26-19)
Fri. 2/1 at 10:30pm ET on MSG

Welcome to the MSGKnickz33 Pregame show, Im your host Jazzy Jeff and were here to take a look at Friday nights matchup. The Blazers have won 4 out of their last 10 games. Their record is 26 and 19 but suprisingly they are only 9th in the Western Conference, not even in the playoffs. In the East they would be one of the best teams. The Knicks lost their 3rd straight game lasat night against the Utah Jazz. A poor 1st half and poor perimeter offense prevented the Knicks from ending a 2 game losing streak. They have now lost their first 3 of 5 games on this West coast trip.

AT POINT GUARD JAMAL CRAWFORD
AT SHOOTING GUARD FRED JONES
AT SMALL FORWARD QUENTIN RICHARDSON
AT POWER FORWARD ZACH RANDOLPH
AT CENTER EDDY CURRY

*Quentin Richardson and Eddy Curry are both listed as day to day

MSG33 PresEnTs the KeY MatChuP:Lamarcus Aldridge vs Zach Randolph

This was really my only option for the key matchup. At least statistically it should be an interesting matchup with the former teammates going head to head. Aldridge is not as good of a rebounder as Randolph but hes a better team player and defender. He doesnt have the jumpshot either but whats so good about having a good jumpshot when you shoot at the wrong times, against double teams and triple teams?

Zach Randolph Last 5 Games

39.2mpg
17.6ppg
47.2fg%
11.8rpg
2.8topg

Lamarcus Aldridge

30.2mpg
14.2ppg
45.3fg%
7.2rpg
.8topg

Z-Bo's been averaging 9 more minutes over the last 5 games. There stats would be closer if they were both getting the same amount of playing time except for the turnovers. Aldridge was often compared to Channing Frye when they first came into the league. Hes clearly the better player of the 2 now. Lamarcus doesnt do anything great or incredible but hes consistent and solid. Hes a starter, Frye is a role player. Zach Randolph is 2 inches shorter but hes heavier. He should be able to get good positioning down low but it is more likely that he will look to take 18 foot jumpshots.

The Official MSG33 Pregame Strategy:

Portland = 7th best team defensively (95.5pts allowed).....Move the Ball!!!

Find a way to contain Brandon Roy.....He is the player that makes this team go by doing a little bit of everything

Player Spotlight

*A special thanks goes to NYKnicks15 for the new smaller spotlight

David Lee deserves to have the spotlight

Eddy Curry:"No Homo"

Recently I have neglected to mention David Lees excellent play. Hes a very consistent player and is always deserving of some praise. You dont see Lee having a good week then a bad week. Many Knicks fans feel like Lee should be getting more minutes. He could have his chance tomorrow night if Eddy Curry misses the game with the Flu.

David Lee Last 5 Games

29.2mpg
13.2ppg
9.6rpg
65.1fg%
.6blks

Lee's even showing he has some (not much) shot blocking ability. Compared to Randolph and curry .6 blocks isnt too bad. He is a better team player then both of them and he brings more energy and heart.

The rebounds are down(-1.95) but the assists are up(+4.6). We are also playing better defense but the game against Detroit where the Pistons only scored 65 points brings down the average. Without that game the Knicks are allowing 101.1 points per game this month. What a difference that one game makes. I suprised myself with this stat. That rarely happens. It appears as if we are playing better defense but without that Detroit game were still a below average team defensively. 101.1 points allowed per game would be the 21st worst defense in the NBA.

Trail Blazers Top 3 Point shooters

James Jones-50%

Steve Blake-45%

Travis Outlaw-44%

Martell Webster-38.4%

Brandon Roy-33.8%

Jarret Jack-33.3%

Despite the Blazers not playing as well lately they are a tough young team that will continue to get better. Joel Pryzbilla is an underrated center who is capable of rebounding and blocking shots. In only 21 minutes of play he averages 7.1rbs and 1.2blks per game. Martell Webster is a solid all around player who does a good job of taking care of the ball and playing within a team system.

The Blazers also have an underrated bench. James Jones can come off the bench and put points on the board quickly. Hes the best 3 point shooter on the Blazers so the Knicks will have to do more then keep their eye on him. They need to be on his case like Columbo. (I like Columbo better then Sherlock Holmes) Jarret Jack is not really that good. He averages 2.2 turnovers in only 26 mintues of play. I thought he would be better then this. Travis Outlaw is clutch and he can shoot. He can be a potential Knick killer. Hes a very versatile player that does some of everything kind of like Darius Miles but better.

The Last player I want to talk about is the former Knick Channing Frye. I've been hard on him in the past (no homo) but I was partially right/partially wrong. After watching Portland more there are games where he comes in and makes an impact by working hard and playing within the team system. Theres other games where he looks soft and lost. Im still not a big Channing Frye fan, I just wish they used him in a better trade. He would prove to be valuable now with talks of a Ron Artest trade going on.

The blazers are a totally different team and a much, much better one at that.
After suffering a very close loss to the Cavs - I expect them to come out guns blazin' and I don't the knicks will have a chance - but atleast it's one step closer to getting a better pick in the draft

The only win of this west coast trip might come against Seattle.

Where there is hope, there can be faith
Where there is faith, miracles can occur

Yeah Nate, is the man that sould get the Knicks player of January award. But he has chilled down a bit. I remember when I once made game thread (crappy job) there were almost never this much feedback in general about the game. I guess people write more when they see a nice job done. I got a tip for you though, it would be nice if you put a picture of the arena. I remember Rady did that on Gamethreads. It would look crazy.

Yeah Nate, is the man that sould get the Knicks player of January award. But he has chilled down a bit. I remember when I once made game thread (crappy job) there were almost never this much feedback in general about the game. I guess people write more when they see a nice job done. I got a tip for you though, it would be nice if you put a picture of the arena. I remember Rady did that on Gamethreads. It would look crazy.

GOOO KNICKS!!!!!!

i would have responded but only found this site this end of last year
yeah a pic of MSG would be sweet

Thanks I got like around 40-60 replies, sometimes 80 sometimes 20. But I didn't really put any effort into them. But since MSG is doin a good job I can learn from him, and if he ever tells me to make one I will, but as far as I know he is the man at Gamethreads (no homo) and should continue to make them.

Yeah Nate, is the man that sould get the Knicks player of January award. But he has chilled down a bit. I remember when I once made game thread (crappy job) there were almost never this much feedback in general about the game. I guess people write more when they see a nice job done. I got a tip for you though, it would be nice if you put a picture of the arena. I remember Rady did that on Gamethreads. It would look crazy.

GOOO KNICKS!!!!!!

Thats sumthin I thought about and its comin, its one of my future improvements I have planned but I just added 4 new things:

Eastern Conference Standings

Knicks stats month by month

The spotlight

throwback rap video of the day

The format is always changing. Ive seen other game threads where they post a picture of the arena and I like that idea.

Originally Posted by nyKnicks126

Thanks I got like around 40-60 replies, sometimes 80 sometimes 20. But I didn't really put any effort into them. But since MSG is doin a good job I can learn from him, and if he ever tells me to make one I will, but as far as I know he is the man at Gamethreads (no homo) and should continue to make them.

On days like yesterday where we got back to back games and I work its tough for me to make them. I didnt have yesterdays up until 5:30 or 6. Luckily the game was at 9 but on days like that you can have the job. I'll let you know in advance or I'll try to but I forget things.

Yo msg I may think that some of your opinions on guys like Marbury are insane but I gotta hand it to ya your game threads are terrific. Good job by you pointing out that if you take out the pistons game the knicks are pretty much playing the same horrible defense that they've been playing all season long.

Gms, coaches, players may change but as long as Dolan is in charge the results will stay the same.

I credit the Knicks for playing hard this entire month.They've tried to play well offensively, but it's their defense that continues to be horrible.The top three current worst defenders on the Knicks are:#3 Jamal Crawford,#2 Zach Randolph,and #1 Eddy Curry.The Knicks shouldn't change a thing they've been doing.The way that they've played, even in this 3 game losing streak, is ironically what got them their 3 game winning streak, earlier this month.These Knicks have no defense,and you can tell from MSG's stats.They just need to keep playing hard on offense,and pray to god that they can overcome being dunked on by PG's,like Deron Williams and Baron Davis.This losing streak tells you why the Knicks shouldn't lose games on purpose,cause they'll still finish well under .500 and with a top 10 lottery pick,if they play hard,so why not?

Yo msg I may think that some of your opinions on guys like Marbury are insane but I gotta hand it to ya your game threads are terrific. Good job by you pointing out that if you take out the pistons game the knicks are pretty much playing the same horrible defense that they've been playing all season long.

thanx man but how can you think my opinions are insane? There all backed up by stats. If starbury arguements have lasted as long as they have their must be some validity to both perspectives. I dont have problems with people disagreein (im sure it doesnt seem this way) but I think people should at least see that my point of view is a reasonable way to think.

I would say team Starbury won the battle. We laid down more facts and it wasnt all stats, their was alot of detailed analysis mixed in. If you go through all the Marbury battle threads theres alot of knowledge dropped:

MSG33
Metro
ABCD
Pricey
goknicksDLee42
and others

I know alot of **** was repeated by all of us but I think team starbury dropped more stats and facts. Team-Starbury-haters had a couple of good points but the only one I really value is Marbury not being a vocal leader off the court in the locker room. I feel like hes a leader on the court. He didnt get alot of consecutive playin time this year because of circumstances mentioned over and over again but he had some good games, how about that Chicago game where he dished to Lee for the dunk and then hit a 3 to seal the deal? I shouldnt be startin up with this again, the Starbury battles are played out for now. If a Starbury battle comes dont expect to see me stay out of it but I would like to avoid one. Im not doin a good job.

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thanx man but how can you think my opinions are insane? There all backed up by stats. If starbury arguements have lasted as long as they have their must be some validity to both perspectives. I dont have problems with people disagreein (im sure it doesnt seem this way) but I think people should at least see that my point of view is a reasonable way to think.

I would say team Starbury won the battle. We laid down more facts and it wasnt all stats, their was alot of detailed analysis mixed in. If you go through all the Marbury battle threads theres alot of knowledge dropped:

MSG33
Metro
ABCD
Pricey
goknicksDLee42
and others

I know alot of **** was repeated by all of us but I think team starbury dropped more stats and facts. Team-Starbury-haters had a couple of good points but the only one I really value is Marbury not being a vocal leader off the court in the locker room. I feel like hes a leader on the court. He didnt get alot of consecutive playin time this year because of circumstances mentioned over and over again but he had some good games, how about that Chicago game where he dished to Lee for the dunk and then hit a 3 to seal the deal? I shouldnt be startin up with this again, the Starbury battles are played out for now. If a Starbury battle comes dont expect to see me stay out of it but I would like to avoid one. Im not doin a good job.

Dont want to get into the whole thing but you guys leave out the most important stat, wins. For whatever reason, Marbury throughout his career, has not been a winning player.

It's always been amazing to me how many of Stephon's own teammates hate him. From KG to Shawn Marion to Kurt Thomas the list could go on and on. I can't think of another star player (maybe kobe a little) in any sport who has had as many teammates come out and say how they don't like the guy. I wonder what he does that pisses everybody off so much? He doesn't seem like a bad guy at all. Someday when his career is over we'll find out. I mean think about it Iverson is in many ways a better version of Marbury and his teammates in Philly loved A.I.

Gms, coaches, players may change but as long as Dolan is in charge the results will stay the same.